New Music: “Speaking Up” featuring Johnnyphlo, J. Han, and Jae Jin

Wooo… where to start with this track? This song had it’s beginnings back in 2009, when I approached a number of talented friends about having them put their reflections of their Faith into song format, knowing fully well we were all in different places. Johnnyphlo, J. Han (of AMP), and Jae Jin all graciously accepted and so the idea of “Speaking Up” was born, at least conceptually. The bulk of the song was written and recorded shortly thereafter, but due to a number of reasons, it was never given the final polish and sheen it deserved for a final release.

That changed early this year, when the finishing touches were at last put on the track – only for me to keep it in the vault until I felt the time was right. Although certainly not completely ideal, I still find an upside to sharing this song with you now – even if it’s not my most absolute recent work. It offers a snapshot in time of each artist’s personal experience and interaction with God. It was an opportunity for us to speak up and share our hearts, and speak upwards as a form of prayer.

Much love to the homies for blessing the track. Their honesty made it what it is, and I think it turned out amazingly. This is the first single off my upcoming mixtape GT & Friends, due later this year. If you like what you hear, you can download the track via the widget below or by hitting up the bandcamp page. You can also find the lyrics after the break if you want to read along. Thanks and enjoy!

PS, It’s Johnnyphlo’s birthday today, wish the dude a happy one!

PPS, fun fact: the song uses the instrumental from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “I Tried”.

JohnnyPhlo:
http://twitter.com/johnnyphlo
http://youtube.com/johnnyphlo

J. Han of AMP:
http://twitter.com/jameshanmusic
http://youtube.com/jam90

Jae Jin:
http://twitter.com/jaejinmusic
http://youtube.com/jaejinmusic

GT:
Yo I’m here to talk alone ’cause I want an honest moment
‘Cause I’m tryna skip the acts.. like goin from John to Romans
God, I know I lost my focus, and I’ve broken promises
Forgot all the motives had as a hopeful college kid
A few bad experiences backed me off the church route
Used to be on fire for You but I gradually just burnt out
Became luke warm, like the disciple with a fever
Started talkin to Ya less, livin life like I didnt need Ya
‘Cause I knew if I followed You, I would have to discern
Between what Ya want me to do and what I thought I deserved
So I’ll give Ya more in tithe but I’m holding back my heart
Though I need You in my life, I don’t know where to start
After growing worlds apart I’ve learned a lot, thats for sure
Like life without You may be easier, not happier
All these years that I’ve wasted, God I wish I could take it back
Since You are the truth its time I look & face the facts

Johnnyphlo:
수많은 거짓들과 잘못된 버릇을 다
버리지 못해 어느새 당신과 멀어진 나
그 모든 것이 쓸모없다는걸 아는데
평소엔 이성적이고 똑똑한 나인데
맘으론 알면서도 보이진 못해
머리론 알면서도 느끼진 못해
1분 1초도 내겐 너무 바빠
잘못을 알아도 고칠 틈이 없네
난 나를 알아,
고칠점을 알면서 그냥 살아
독인줄 알면서 먹는 열매가 내게는 너무나 달아
나도 내가 왜 이러는지는 모르겠어
지금을 살기 위해 내 믿음이 목을 맸어
멀리 보는 눈이 멀어, 바로 앞만 보고 걸어
이 더러운 세상을 걸어가며 내 혼은 발을 저러
이 무거운 짐들을 들고 어디까지 갈까
짐에 가려진 내가 등 진 그곳은 너무도 밝다

J. Han:
Dear Lord, First of all I gotta thank You,
cause You are Sovereign, Righteous, and always Faithful.
Anytime I let the flesh win, the guilt sets in.
But I know those feelings are from satan, not from heaven.
Even through the conviction and the correction
You stood next to me, – whispering the plans of Your direction.
No matter how much I try to guard my heart-
You still see the beauty in me like the Taj Mahal.
I know I am a sinner, You take me as I am.
I’m in need of Grace like Kelly, I’m a wretched man.
You gave me victory over all things that hinder me.
Shaping and refining me – to become – who I’m supposed to be.
I speak Hebrews 12 verses 7 to 11
-to all the brothers who endeavor to be set free.
I plead the blood of freedom over all of us
Because Jesus took the cross so we could live victorious.

Jae Jin(Hook/Chorus):
Though I often turn away, Your mercy brings me back to You
You hold my sin and take my shame and I just wanna say…
Though I often turn away, Your mercy brings me back to You
Got nothing else to offer You but still I want to say…